Ukrainians dramatically failed to win the 2nd round of Eurobasket 2025 selection

Ukraine's women's basketball team lost to Portugal in the 2nd round of qualification for the European Championship, which will take place in the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece and Italy from June 19 to 29, 2025. The match in Riga at the Rimi Olympic Center ended with a score of 63:78.

Unlike the previous game against Serbia, which was completely lost, the Ukrainians showed the highest concentration in this match from the very beginning. Murzin's wards led 13:4 in the 5th minute thanks to a confident game. At +10, the Portuguese coach was forced to take a timeout to bring down the attacking pace of the Ukrainian basketball players.

This had little effect on the game pattern. The Yellow and Blues continued to be the first team to work, maintaining the necessary ten-point handicap.

Toward the end of the quarter, Ukraine's offense stalled. Portugal gradually began to seize the initiative, reducing the gap to 5 points and forcing Yevhen Murzin to take a minute break. The Ukrainian basketball players began to lose momentum, often failing to keep up with their opponents and stopping them only by breaking the rules. The first ten minutes ended with a score of 20:17.

Starting in the second quarter, Portugal dominated the floor. Ukraine allowed their opponents to feel free on the floor, losing the rebounding and positional battle at the line.

At the 3rd minute, the Portuguese players took the lead (22:20), after which the "swing" began, where the teams went point for point. 2 minutes before the end of the first half, Yevheniia Putra took a solo game, scoring 4 points in a row and forcing the Portuguese to take a timeout. Before the break, neither team was able to score much.

Ukraine started the second half with a lot of personal fouls. 4 out of 10 players received 3 violations, and Uro-Nili played with 4 fouls. The Portuguese tried to aggravate the situation by focusing on passing under the basket.

When they failed to do so, they played long combinations, bringing a free sniper to the three-point line. The ending was left to our basketball players, who led 49:43 before the final 10 minutes but could not keep the advantage.

From the very first seconds, the Portuguese ran away with a 5-0 lead, forcing our coaching staff to urgently take a timeout. It didn't help, and we continued to miss shots and lose rebounds. In 4 minutes, Ukraine missed 15 points without scoring anything in response, which ultimately cost us the match.

The women's national team of Ukraine will play its next match on November 7, 2024, against North Macedonia.

It should be recalled that 8 group winners, as well as the 4 best second place qualifiers, will advance to Euro 2025, which will take into account all matches in the group.

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